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Positive TB Test
January 23 , 2005 by Agnes OblasQuestion:
What is the significance of a positive TB test?
Answer:
TB, or tuberculosis, is a primarily a respiratory infection and therefore spread through airborne droplets.
When a person breathes in the TB bacteria and it enters the lungs, the healthy immune system will prevent an active case of the disease from developing by successfully sealing off or encasing the early lung infection. The person may have no symptoms and be unaware that contact had been made. However, a chest X-ray may show a “spot” on the lung or a skin test will be “positive”. In some situations anti-tuberculosis medication will be prescribed to treat this inactive case of TB to prevent it from ever becoming active but the skin test will forever stay positive.
A. Oblas, RN, CS, MSN
Nurse Practitioner
602.405.6320
Medical @ EVLiving.com
Agnes Oblas, RN, Nurse Practitioner, is a regularly featured contributor whose articles can be found under Health/Medical Q&A.
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